The East Palo Alto City Council this week appointed former council member Donna Rutherford to fill a vacancy left by the mid-term resignation of David Woods.

Sixteen residents applied for the job, including two other former council members, Peter Evans and Carlos Romero.

After interviewing the candidates during a public meeting Thursday night, the four sitting council members took several votes on different candidates before three of them settled on Rutherford. Mayor Laura Martinez abstained from voting.

Rutherford served on the city council for eight years until 2008 and was mayor in 2004.

She has lived in East Palo Alto more than 40 years. In November 2012, she ran for one of three seats on the council but came in fifth place.

Reached by phone Friday, Rutherford said she was “elated” to be chosen.

“I know that it was a tough decision, because there were so many residents interested in the appointment,” she said. “I want to help make sure the city continues to move forward.” Rutherford was immediately sworn into office after being selected.

Woods unexpectedly resigned in October, citing “health and personal reasons.” His term was scheduled to expire at the end of 2014.

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